Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Daniel Pedrosll (1 :44.257); 4. Lucio Cecchinello (1:44.264): 5. Arnoud Vinc.nt (1:44.389); 6. AI.x d. Ang.lis (1:44.403); 7. Poblo Ni.to (1:44.681); 8. Gino Borsoi (1:44.718): 9. Angel Rodriguez (1:44.798): 10. Youlchi Ui (1:45.055); 11. Andr.o Dovizioso (1:45.056); 12. Simon. Sonno (1:45.114): 13. Mirko Giansllnti (1:45.235); 14. Joan Olive (1:45.243); 15. Joroslov Hul.s (1:45.307); 16. St.v. J.nkn.r (I :45.475): 17. Noboru U.do (1 :45.538); 18. Gabor Tllimacsi (1:45.538); 19. Max Sabbatani (1:45.695): 20. St.fono Bionco (I :45.801); 21. Mika Kollio (1:45.807); 22. Hoctor Barboro (1:45.841); 23. Chez Davies (1 :46.077); 24. Andrea Ballerini (1:46.143); 25. Jokub Smrz (1:46.235); 26. Mich.1 Fobrizio (1:46.460); 27. Kious Nohl.s (1:46.532); 28. Stephl.lOo Perugini (1:46.534): 29. Jorge Lorenzo (1:46.728); 30. AI.x Baldolini (1:47.043); 31. Gregory Lefort (1:47.084): 32. Mattia Angeloni (1:46.7BO); 33. Jimmy Petit (1:4B.473); 34. Vinc.nt Broillord (1:49.124): 35. Imr. Toth (1:49.268); 36. Yohann Tiberio (1 :50.325); 37. Gregory Leblanc (1:50.761). 125cc GRANO PRIX: 1. Lucio Cecchinello (Apr); 2. Manu.1 Poggioli (Gil); 3. Doni.1 Pedrosa (Hon): 4. Arnaud Vincent (Apr); 5. Masao Azumll (Hon): 6. Pablo Nieto (Apr); 7. Stefano Bianco (Apr); 8. Mikll Kallio (Hon); 9. Andrea Dovizio50 (Hon): 10. Gino Borsoi (Apr); 11. Steve Jenkner (Apr); 12. Mirko GianSl.lnti (Hon); 13. Max SebbaulOi (Apr): 14. Klaus Nohles (Hon): 15. Hector Barbera (Apr); 16. Andrell: Bllllerini (Hon); 17. Michel Fabrizio (Gil); 18. Chlliz Devies (Apr); 19. Jorge Lorenzo (Der); 20. Gregory L.fort (Apr); 21. Mattia Ang.loni (Gil); 22. Imr. Toth (Hon); 23. Jimmy P.tit (Hon); 24. Gr.gory Loblonc (Han); 25. Yohllinn Tiberio (Han). TIme: 42 min. 9.029 sees. Distance: 62.19 miles Average speed: 88.53 mph Margin of victory: .076 sec Fastest lap: Ma5llo Azuma, lap 17, 1:44.259 125cc GRAND PRIX C'SHIP POINTS STANDINGS (After 4 of 16 rounds): 1. Arnaud Vincent (78/1 win); 2. Mllinuel Poggiali (61/1); 3. Lucio Cecchinello (57/2); 4. Dani.1 P.droso (53); 5. St.v. J.nkn.r (35); 6. Simon. Sonna (2B); 7. Gino Borsio (27); B. (Tie) Mirko GlanSllinti/Mlssao Azumlli (26); 10. Mika Kallio (23); II. Pablo Ni.to (21); 12. Noboru U.do (IB); 13. Andreo Dovizloso (13); 14. Max Sobbollmi (ll); 15 (TI.) Shuh.i Aoyomo/AI.x d. AngelislYouichi Ui/Jolln Olive (10). 250cc GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING: 1. Fonsi Ni.to (1:38.903); 2. Rondy do Puni.t (1:39.391); 3. Roberto Locatelli (1 :39.506); 4. Marco Melandri (1 :39.570); 5. Toni Elias (I :39.673); 6. Fronco Battalni (I :39.B 11); 7. Cosey Stoner (1 :39.B72); B. Heruchike Aoki (1 :40.233); 9. Sebastian Porto (1:40.234); 10. Nook; Matsudo (1:40.340); 11. AI.x Debon (1:40.450); 12. Roberto Rolfo (1:40.666); 13. Taro Sekiguchi (1 :40.791); 14. Shahrol Yuzy (1:40.910); 15. Emilio Alzomora (1:40.928); 16. Joy Vincent (1:41.104): 17. Da,,;d Choco (1:41.362); lB. Thierry Van Den Bosch (1:41.629); 19. Hector Foube' (1:41.940); 20. Vinc.nt Philippe (1:42.080); 21. Raul JlIirlli (1 :42.187); 22. Jarno Janssen (1:42.278); 23. Dirk H.ldolf (1:42.B28); 24. Erwon Nlgon (1 :43.582); 25. Loon Hoslom (I :43.957). 250cc GRAND PRIX: 1. Fonsi Nieto (Apr): 2. Marco Mehmdri (Apr); 3. RlIindy de Puniel (Apr); 4. Roberto Locot.1Ii (Apr); 5. Roberto Rolfo (Hon); 6. Toni Elies (Apr): 7. Emilio Alzamora (Hon); 8. Sebllistian Porto (Yam): 9. Alex Debon (Apr); 10. DlIivid Checlli (Apr): II. Naoki Matsudo (Yam); 12. Tero Sekiguchi (Yern); 13. Shahrol Yuzy (YlIim); 14. Hector Faubel (Apr); 15. Jey Vincent (Hon); 16. Vincent Philippe (Apr); 17. JlIimo Janssen (Han); 18. Dirk Heidolf (Apr); 19. RlIiul Jarlli (Apr); 20. Erwan Nlgon (Hon). Time: 43 min. 41.140 sees. Distance: 67.38 miles Average speed: 92.54 mph Margin of victory: .252 sec Fastest lap: Marco Melandri, Illip 24, 1:39.648 250cc GRAND PRIX WORLD C'SHIP POINTS STANDINGS (After 4 of 16 rounds): 1. Fonsi Nieto (69/2 wins): 2. Roberto Rolfo (52): 3. Emilio Alzllimora (47); 4. Marco Melendri (45/1); 5. Randy de Punlet (42): 6. Franco Batulini (39): 7. Sebastian Porto (36); B. Roberto Locatelli (35); 9. Alex Debon (29); 10. Naoki Metsudo (27); 11. Miyazaki Osemu (25/1); 12. Toni E1illis (21): 13. DaislIiku Sllkai (20); 14. DlIivld Checlli (12); 15. ClIisey Stoner (10). MotoGP QOALIFYING: 1. Valentino Rossi (1:36.046); 2. Corlos Ch.co (1:36.122); 3. Mox Blaggi (1:36.193); 4. Tohru Ukowo (1:36.223); 5. Deijiro Kato (1 :36.349); 6. Jeremy McWilliams (1:36.507); 7. Loris Capirossi (1:36.515): 8. Tetsuyl.l Horodo (1:36.525); 9. K.nny Roberts Jr. (1:36.617): 10. Shlnyo Nokono (1:36.714): 11. Nobuotsu Aoki (1:36.752); 12. Norlck Ab. (1:36.771): 13. Olivier Jacque (1:36.7B5): 14. R.g" Laconl (1:36.933): 15. Alex Barros (1:36.997): 16. Sete Gibernau (1 :37. I 30); 17_ Jurgen van den Goorbergh (1:37.1B6); lB. J.on-Mlchel Bayi. (1:37.311); 19. John HopkinS (1:37.707); 20. Jose Luis Cardoso (I :38.261). MotoGP: 1. Valentino Rossi (Hon); 2. Tohru Ukewa (Hon); 3. Max Biaggi (Yam); 4. Norick Abe (Yem); 5. Kenny Roberts Jr. (Suz): 6. Nobuatsu Aoki (Pro); 7 Loris Capirossi (Hon); 8. Alex Barros (Hon): 9. RegiS Lacon! (Apr); 10. Jeremy McWilliams (Pro); 11. John Hopkins (Yam): 12. Sete Gibemlliu (Suz): 13. Shinya Nekllino (Yem): 14. Jellin-Michel Bayle (Yam); 15. Jurgen ven den Goorbergh (Hon): 16. Jose Luis Cardoso (Yam). TIme: 34 min. 22.335 sees. Distance: 54.42 miles Average speed: 95 mph Margin of victory: .217 sec Fastest lap: V81entlno Rossi, lap 7. 1:38.846 MotoGP GRAND PRIX WORLD C'SHIP POINTS STANDINGS (After 4 of 16 rounds): 1. VlIilentino Rossi (95/3 wins): 2. Tohru Uklliwa (61/1); 3. Loris C.!!lpirossl (45); 4. Norick Abe (43); 5. Daijiro Kato (39); 6. Alex Borros (29); 7. Nobuotsu Aokl (2B); 8. Cllrlos Cheea (27); 9. Mllix BI899i (23); 10. Akirl.l Ryo (20); 11. K.nny Roberts Jr. (19): 12. R.gis Laconi (IB); 13. (TIE) Olivi.r Jocqu./T.tsuyo Horodo (15); 15. John Hopkins (14). Upcoming Rounds: Round S: Mugello. Italy Round 6: Catalunya, Spain BRIEFLY••• Valentino Rossi has his own explanation of the supenority of the VS Honda. "I think Yamaha and Suzuki thought If they made the four-stroke a little better than the old two-strokes, it would be enough. Honda aimed higher, and also took a risk. making a new type of engine." he said. "The Suzuki is a good bike, and when they get tile best Michelin tires they will go faster," he said, adding he had noticed how Suzuka race-rival Aklra Ryo was able to open the throttle compared with his Honda in the wet. "The Yamaha Is haVing problems at the moment that they can Improve but I believe the ultimate potential of the M1 IS only to stay with the twostrokes," he said. Rossi spoke about the early development of the RCV five-cylinder bike. "The problem with Japanese test riders is they don't have the courage to say 'This is shlf when something Is wrong. They will say: 'Ifs quite good.' The first time I rode the bike in the middle of last year. it had big problems. The engine was very fast. but It had no traction. The wheel would spin on the exit from pit lane That is really true! When you touch the throttle, anive 180bhp. Improving the power delivery was a big step that we did." But it needed more wor!<, he said, as shown by the way Ryo was able just to open the throttle at Suzuka while he had to be much more careful. "The power of the four-stroke is sweeter than the two-stroke. With the old SOO, when you opened the throttle there was nothing. then it all came at once. The four-stroke comes on better, but it arrives very early." The VS hit too hard on first opening. he acknowledged. "The biggest problem we have at the moment is tires. We are using the hardest possible tire. and we are at the limit. Also. because the bike is heavier, there is less grip on the side. The comer speed is not good. and that spoils the comer-exit speed. "The four-stroke was easy to ride fast. he said: "But It Is much harder to make Improvements. With the two-stroke. when you improve the settings or go like Capirossi for a really brave lap. you can Improve your lap time by one or 1.S seconds. With the four-stroke. you could war!< for a month and only find three or four 1Oths." In a cheerful mood, Rossi spoke of hiS respect for Kato as a potential rival. adding: "For me, his bike [a two-stroke NSRl is not the same as the bikes of Barros and Caplrossl. Also, he Is so small - like a European child of 12. When I saw him on the bike on the straight at Suzuka. I thought that somebody had stolen the Fortuna Honda!" Reacting to rumors that Kato might be given a VS before the end of the year. he shrugged. "We did a lot of war!< during the winter on the bike, so I would not be happy if Honda give it to other riders. The longer they have to walt for the bike, the better for me. But if that is Honda's decision... " There were still some tracks to come where the supenority of the four-stroke was not assured, he said - including the slow Sachsenring and Valencia. "Jerez was another, which is a track I like very much and where I am very fast. but I only beat Kato by 1.S seconds. And It is his first year on a SOO. You have to think that If Caplrossl or Barros had been going at their best, he would have been even fasler. "Assen. he said, would be very interesting. Although it is fast. which favors the four-strokes, "you are not using full throttle, and you are turning all the time. where the extra weight might be difficult." He has made no secret in the past of his preference for the more exciting two-strokes, and said he also prefers the sound of the strokers. "I never wore earplugs before, but the noise of the four-stroke is more and it is painful. so I must wear them." Asked if he anticipated a time when he might ask for a two-stroke instead of the VS, he was diplomatic. "The four-stroke is the future, and we must develop that machine. he said. H A small change to the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit made a bigger difference than expected to a track Widely criticized for its "car-park" layout. The change improves the first of the set of three slow U-bends early on the lap. and makes the layout" more interesting," according to Kenny Roberts. The alteration comes after the start/finish straight. under the Dunlop Bridge. reducing overall length from 4.30Skm (2.66 miles) to 4.180 (2.S9 miles). Where the track ran straight down to a hard-braking area for the first slow right-hander, it now veers left through a distinctly interesting fast left with a blind entry. then Into a significantly faster version of the old comer. "It's given the track more character - but funnily enough I was one of the few that quite liked the old one." said Proton rider Jeremy McWilliams. Australian former GP winner Garry McCoy pulled out of the French GP and may be out for several more races, finally crying enough after battling through the first three rounds. suffenng severe pain and weakness from fractures In hiS right leg. The spectacular Red Bull Yamaha nder broke both his tibia and fibula in preseason tests at Estonl on February 20. and though the Injury was pinned. he was barely fit when he retumed in time for the Japanese GP at Suzuka. Although he was 10th In the second round in South Africa. he crashed out two weeks before In Japan and failed to score at Jerez. He had been complaining of difficulty In moving about the bike. and pain, but In fact he was in far worse condition than he admitted, and the latest round of X-rays revealed not only that one screw had come out Cit was removed after Japan) but that a second screw had snapped. "I am so far-off form and haVing so much pain that I think it's time to let the doctors have another look and see what's going on," the plucky little rider said. "I guess it's obvious now that I tried to come back too soon." Former clown prince of racing and current pilot of the Marlboro Yamaha two-seater GP bike Randy Mamola got a taste of his own medicine at Le Mans, with two seconds of five-G acceleration and sheer terror in a jet-powered dragster. Part of a race-eve entertainment program that entertained packed grandstands at Le Mans, the dragster reached 300km/h on the short start-finish straight. "The first 10 meters weren't so impressive - just like a fast car," said Mamola. "Then the afterbumer- cut in. Ifs the first time I've felt acceleration that actually pulls your cheeks back. " McCoy's misfortune was good luck for Jean"Michel Bayle - the French former motocross superstar (pictured) who retired from GP racing during 1999 after suffering head injuries in a preseason test crash of his own. Since then. he has been motocross testing and won the 24-hour race at Le Mans earlier this year on a Suzuki. Bayle had tested the spare Red Bull Yamaha earlier this season, and last week at Mugello, and had a set of team leathers ready to go. "I'm delighted with the chance." he said. "After the 24-hour race, I feel I know this track pretty well. " Lucio Cecchinello became the first GP rider to take advantage of a new rule allowing two-way "ship-to-shore" radio communication this year, testing a system in practice. "It wor!

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